Kusunoki's Garden of Gods (神の庭付き楠木邸)

Phew, I thought I was going to die.

The heat these days is certainly abnormal.

But this garden is a kami realm, so it's always nice.

Aye, as it should be.

Why don't I renovate the garden to make it more comfortable?

What?

Maybe you shouldn't.

If you overuse your power again, you will...

Have no fear.

Wow!

A stream?

The water is actually flowing.

It really changes the feeling of the garden.

No, I think it needs something else.

Really? I think it's perfect.

We need a bridge.

Not the best spot.

Let me move it over here.

Yamagami, if you use your power recklessly...

No, over here is better.

Yamagami, stop, stop!

Something is still missing.

I see! The sound of the water.

Sound of the water? That's what's missing?!

W-Wow, a waterfall!

The sound of the waterfall sure is soothing.

It feels nice and cool in an instant, Yamagami.

Wait, you've turned chihuahua-sized again?!

Chihuahua? I'm a mountain god.

Yes, I'm aware, but...

Now even your roar is adorable.

Kusunoki's Garden of Gods

Ancient Connection with the Neighboring Mountain

Yamagami. I've asked you many times not to overuse your power.

You end up in that pathetic state because you get carried away.

That's right!

You've gotten even smaller than us.

This is not a big deal.

Even small, I am me.

And I think it's actually rather elegant.

Yamagami, why are you so obsessed with renovating this garden?

It's my hobby.

I just wanted to adjust it for the season.

Even though you neglect your own mountain, leaving it totally unkempt?

The beauty of nature is in letting it be as is.

I understand that.

But it must be inconvenient to be so small.

We have to turn you back to normal...

There's no need to rush.

Oh, you like that spot, Dragon?

He seems really at home there.

The god we rescued from the kami realm hasn't woken up at all.

You needn't worry.

Right. Just a little fatigued is all.

They should wake up soon enough.

And Birdy seems tired as well.

Wow!

Minato, come check this out!

Koi?! How did they grace us with their presence?

They seem to have gotten lost here.

It's a dead end down there.

The koi are ascending the waterfall.

Ascending the waterfall?

More like they're flying!

Bye-bye!

Don't get lost here again.

What a surprise.

By the way,

wasn't there a legend that said if koi successfully ascended a waterfall,

it would become a dragon?

They're also the minions of a god.

It seems they're from the next town over.

Wow, the next town, huh?

Tsumugi from the neighboring mountain.

I haven't seen them since then, but I hope they're doing okay.

Who knows.

The peach that minion brought...

It was bitter.

How dare they make me eat low-quality food!

Like master, like minion.

Yamagami. If I may ask, are you not on good terms with the neighboring god?

No.

I wonder what kind of god it is?

Dragon?

Wait, did the koi who ascended the waterfall really turn into dragons?!

It's coming down!

So huge!

Do not panic.

How can you be so calm?!

That's a friend of Ouryu's.

What?!

Minato, close your eyes!

It shrunk?

He wants to know if he can come in.

Please, do come in.

What a pleasure to have you here.

Hm?

Um...

He says it's a token of friendship.

Take it.

Thank you kindly.

Huh? More?

W-Wait!

I'm grateful, but this is more than enough.

He says he should get going.

Okay. I'm sorry I couldn't offer you more.

Please come again!

By the way, what is that?

Open it.

Wow, they look delicious!

These are mooncakes.

Filled with sweet bean paste.

I know! Eating this might get you back to your normal size, Yamagami.

Right. Then I shall eat it without hesitation.

What do you think?

Hm. Not bad.

But you don't seem to be growing back.

This is a rare snack.

This is Chinese tea!

Okay!

Yamagami, have a feast!

This is the last one.

That should do it!

Let's see!

It is extremely delectable.

Why aren't you growing back?

He must eat more to regain his power.

I wish I could taste at least one of them.

We bought all the premium Japanese sweets money could buy.

Indeed. I can't wait to taste them.

I'd like for you to grow back to your normal size.

Isn't this the mountain where Tsumugi is?

Correct.

It's a cute little mountain.

I thought gods only reside on big mountains.

The size doesn't matter.

We're everywhere, but this one...

Whoa?!

Wh-What is this?! Another abandoned kami realm?

Whoa!

How dare you behave so selfishly!

To show up in front of me in the flesh?

This is rather rare.

What?

A fox?

Nine tails.

A yokai?

No, that is a god.

Wait, the god of this mountain?

Tenko

This is Tenko.

Tsumugi is her minion.

Yamagami... So you are not on good terms with Tenko, are you?

It's neither good nor bad.

Hey, wait up, Yamagami!

She invited you here.

But why?

I've never walked by here until today, and I certainly have never met her.

She knows you.

Since she sees everything her minion does.

I see.

I don't know if it's to see you in person or to get a hold of your inarizushi.

A rather aggressive invitation.

If she could invite me normally, I wouldn't mind visiting her.

There's no guarantee that you can come back.

Sorry, I guess I'll pass.

Inari Shrine

What? The exorcist in the neighboring town?

When we eliminated the evil spirit at the abandoned hospital before,

I saw a man named Ansho.

He's an exorcist from the neighboring town, right?

Why was he in our jurisdiction?

Who knows?

Mr. Saiga, I looked into it because something about it bothered me.

Good work. And?

The man called Ansho has often been seen in Hojo

with someone who appears to be his subordinate.

I don't know what he's doing yet.

Hmm. That's concerning.

Okay, let me look into it as well.

Thank you.

What?! Granny, your back's hurting?

Oh, I bet that's because of an evil spirit.

My gosh, an evil spirit?

We're exorcists, so we can see stuff like that.